Anti-Awuah-Darko petition empty – Minority

The Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy, Adams Mutawalkilu, has said a petition filed by the Centre for National Affairs (CNA) against former MD of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), Kingsley Kwame Awuah-Darko, will amount to nothing.

The CNA dragged Mr Awuah-Darko before the office of the Special Prosecutor for investigations into some of his dealings while in office.

The CNA’s petition is in relation to alleged illegal payments totaling GHS40.5 million into an account of the office of the then-Chief of Staff under the Mahama administration, Julius Debrah, which, according to the CNA, did not have statutory approval.

According to letters allegedly signed by Mr Awuah-Darko, the payments were "monies accrued from the security fees taken from Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) invoices to effect payments on the cost of petroleum products supplied by Goil."

The petitioners said they were triggering Act 959, which empowers the Special Prosecutor to investigate suspected corruption and corruption-related offences.

But speaking in an interview with Class91.3FM’s parliamentary correspondent, Ekow Annan, on Wednesday, 19 September, Mr Mutawakilu said there was no wrongdoing in the action.

Mr Mutawakilu also revealed that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is already investigating the matter and the Minority are eagerly awaiting the findings, which, he said, will exonerate the past officials.

“There are records to be traced, if not, the records would have been destroyed. In the spirit of good governance and transparency, you follow to the logical conclusion. I don’t see the reason why it is made to look as if the (former) Chief of Staff put the money into his personal account, no, it is an official account and there were official exchanges of letters put in a file. I think EOCO must fast-track investigations into it because there is nothing there to find.”

He further indicated that the petition was a diversionary tactic to sway attention from the recent scandals at BOST.

“I believe that it is because of these two scandals – payment of the 3 million dollars to Springfield and the 5 million contaminated fuel that have hit BOST that they want to cover up. If not, you didn’t need to bring things of this nature once it is being investigated by EOCO.”